title: Can UV radiation affect benthic deposit-feeders through biochemical alteration of food resources? An experimental study with juveniles of the benthic polychaete Eupolymnia nebulosa.
abstract: The growth, tentacle development and feeding activity of the benthic polychaete Eupolymnia nebulosa were examined to determine whether UV might affect marine deposit-feeders indirectly through the modification of the nutritional quality of their resources. Since marine invertebrates have higher nutritional requirements during the period following settlement, we tested the effect of UV-altered phytodetritus on freshly settled juveniles of E. nebulosa. Phytodetritus was prepared from cultures of the diatom Skeletonema costatum either grown under or sheltered from UVB radiation. Sterol content of phytodetritus was unmodified by UV radiation. Conversely, phytodetritus was noticeably depleted in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Growth and tentacle development of juveniles fed on altered phytodetritus were reduced by 35% and 15% respectively, suggesting potential deficiencies in essential nutrients. In response to the lower quality of the phytodetritus, juveniles explored a wider area as they search for food, a strategy that could compensate for low food quality.
authors.affiliation: UPMC Univ Paris 06, FRE 3350, LECOB, Observatoire Océanologique, F-66651 Banyuls-sur-mer, France. sarah.nahon@obs-banyuls.fr
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nahon
authors.forename: Audrey M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pruski
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Duchêne
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Méjanelle
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vétion
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Desmalades
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Charles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017377:Diatoms / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000528:radiation effects; D020387:Food Chain; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D013261:Sterols